Multifunctional device for spraying and fumigating a vaporizable fluid

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to multifunctional apparatus for spraying and fumigating a vaporizable fluid, the apparatus comprising an actuator head (1), a tank (100) containing said fluid, and a pump mounted on the tank, wherein the actuator head (1) includes electromechanical means for actuating the pump and an electronic control and power supply circuit (101) having a microprocessor. The invention is characterized in that the apparatus further includes a regulated electrical heater element adapted to be placed facing the outlet nozzle of the pump to receive said fluid sprayed by the pump and to vaporize it, the apparatus including means for detecting the presence of said regulated heater element facing the outlet nozzle of the pump, for detecting operation of said regulated heater element, and for transmitting a signal to said microprocessor indicating that the regulated heater element is present and operating, and said microprocessor is programmed to control actuation of the pump automatically at predetermined time intervals while it is receiving said signal indicating that the regulated heater element is present and operating.

The present invention relates to multifunctional apparatus for sprayingand fumigating a fluid.

More precisely, the invention relates to apparatus of the kind disclosedin documents EP-A-0 401 060 and WO-A 92/12801 in which a manual spraypump is actuated automatically by electromechanical means, thus makingit possible, in particular, to obtain a fine pseudo-continuous spraywhen the electromechanical means are actuated repetitively at a highrate. A spray is thus obtained which is comparable to that of aerosols,or is even better, because it avoids the drawbacks thereof (harmfulnessof Freons for the environment, danger for users when Freons are replacedby hydrocarbons).

Document EP-A-0 401 060 also discloses apparatus in which a manual pumpis actuated by electromechanical means for spraying a finely atomizedjet of fluid on a metal surface, and the metal surface is heated to atemperature that is higher than the vaporization temperature of thefluid so that said fluid is vaporized instantaneously in gaseous form,i.e. with a change of state. Below, the term "fumigation" is used forsuch vaporization. Fumigation advantageously replaces the use ofaerosols for treating volumes of air with deodorants, insecticides, airfresheners, etc. . . . Since the fluid is converted to the gas phase, itdisperses much better in the atmosphere than do aerosols which producedroplets in suspension in the air. As a result, it is possible toachieve the same result while using much less of said fluid than with anaerosol (Avogadro's Law), which is both cheaper and also better forhuman health and for the environment. Also, the fine droplets producedby the spray are vaporized instantaneously by the heated surface, so thefluid does not have time to be degraded by heat during vaporization andit therefore conserves all of its properties.

Certain fluids are suitable for use both in spraying and in fumigation.For example, an insecticide may be sprayed to have a fast localizedeffect on one or more insects, or it may be fumigated to treat the airin a room on a continues basis, e.g. throughout the night.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of theabove-mentioned type, but that makes it possible to perform bothspraying similar to that of an aerosol and fumigation, depending on thekind of use desired.

Thus, the present invention provides a multi-functional apparatus forspraying and fumigating a vaporizable fluid, the apparatus comprising anactuator head, a tank containing said fluid, and a pump mounted on thetank, said pump having an outlet nozzle,

in which the actuator head includes electromechanical actuator means foractuating the pump and an electronic control and power supply circuitincluding a microprocessor for controlling said electromechanicalactuator means,

the apparatus including a heater element disposed facing the outletnozzle of the pump to receive said fluid sprayed by the pump and tovaporize it, said heater element having a temperature greater than thevaporization temperature of said fluid, said heater element being incommunication with the atmosphere to exhaust said vaporized fluid,

characterized in that the apparatus further includes means for detectingthe operation of said heater element and for transmitting a signal tosaid microprocessor indicating operation of said heater element, saidmicroprocessor being programmed to control actuation of the pumpautomatically at predetermined time intervals when it receives saidsignal indicating that the heater element is operating.

In a second embodiment, the invention defines a multifunctionalapparatus for spraying and fumigating a vaporizable fluid, the apparatuscomprising an actuator head, a tank containing said fluid, and a pumpmounted on the tank, said pump having an outlet nozzle,

in which the actuator head includes electromechanical actuator means foractuating the pump and an electronic control and power supply circuitincluding a microprocessor for controlling said electromechanicalactuator means, characterized in that:

the apparatus further includes a movable heater element which, as afunction of the apparatus in fumigation mode is disposed facing theoutlet nozzle of the pump to receive said fluid sprayed by the pump andto vaporize it, said heater element having a temperature higher than thevaporization temperature of said fluid, said heater element being incommunication with the atmosphere to exhaust said vaporized fluid,

the apparatus including means for detecting the presence of said heaterelement facing the outlet nozzle of the pump and the operation of saidheater element, and for transmitting a signal to said microprocessorindicating that the heater element is present and operating, and saidmicroprocessor is programmed to control actuation of the pumpautomatically at predetermined time intervals when it receives saidsignal indicating that the heater element is present and operating.

Advantageously, said heater element is a temperature regulatedelectrical heater element.

According to a characteristic of the second embodiment, said heaterelement is disposed in a fumigation box which is adapted to be removablyfixed on said actuator head and which is powered by the electroniccontrol and power supply circuit of the actuator head.

In this embodiment, it is particularly desirable for it to be simple andfast to connect the fumigation box electrically on the actuator head. Inan embodiment of the invention, this problem is solved in that:

the fumigation box includes two electrical contacts connected to saidelectrical heater element, said actuator head includes two externalelectrical contacts facing said electrical contacts of the fumigationbox to connect said electrical heater element to the electronic controland power supply circuit of the actuator head,

the fumigation box includes two snap-fastening resilient arms whichembrace said actuator head and bear resiliently against said actuatorhead, and

said electrical contacts of the fumigation box are disposed inside saidresilient arms and are pressed by said resilient arms against theexternal electrical contacts of the outer shell.

It is also highly desirable to guarantee accurate positioning of thefumigation box in removable manner on the actuator head. In anembodiment of the invention, this problem is solved in that:

the fumigation box includes two electrical contacts connected to saidelectrical heater element, said actuator head includes two externalelectrical contacts facing said electrical contacts of the fumigationbox to connect said electrical heater element to the electronic controland power supply circuit of the actuator head,

said contacts of the fumigation box and said contacts of the actuatorhead co-operating to position the fumigation box on the actuator head.

Advantageously,

the fumigation box includes two electrical contacts connected to saidelectrical heater element, said actuator head includes two externalelectrical contacts facing said electrical contacts of the fumigationbox to connect said electrical heater element to the electronic controland power supply circuit of the actuator head,

said means for detecting the presence of the regulated heater elementdetecting the presence of an external electric circuit between the twoexternal contacts of the actuator head.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, when the fumigation box isremovable, the electronic circuit and the actuator head further includemeans for detecting insufficient electrical resistance of said externalelectrical circuit and for transmitting a signal to said microprocessorindicating that said electrical resistance is below a determined value,and said microprocessor is programmed to prevent operation of saidelectrical heater element and to prevent actuation of the pump while itis receiving said signal indicating that said resistance is below apredetermined threshold.

The invention also provides the removable fumigation box, per se.

In another embodiment of the invention, said regulated heater element issecured to a moving member of the actuator head movable between aretracted position in which it leaves the outlet nozzle of the pumpdisengaged to enable said fluid to be sprayed, and a fumigation positionin which said regulated heater element is disposed facing the spraynozzle, said regulated heater element being powered by the electricalcontrol and power supply circuit of the actuator head when the movingmember is in its fumigation position.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, said regulated heaterelement is secured to a fumigation box, the apparatus includingpositioning means for positioning the actuator head relative to thefumigation box. Advantageously, said means for detecting that thefumigation box is present and operating include at least onephotoemitter secured to the fumigation box and a photoreceiver securedto the actuator head.

The apparatus may optionally include an interface at least for readinginformation in a removable programmable card, and means for transmittingsaid information to the electronic circuit of the actuator head. Inaddition, the apparatus may also include a connector for connecting amicrocomputer to said stationary box.

In order to prevent fumigation of fluids that are unsuitable for beingvaporized by the fumigation box, provision may be made:

for the tank of fluid to be removably fixed to the actuator head, thetank including a data medium carrying at least one binary item of dataindicating whether the fluid contained in the tank is suitable forvaporizing with the fumigation head,

for the electronic control and power supply circuit of the actuator headto include means for reading said binary data and for applying a signalto said microprocessor indicating that said fluid is suitable forvaporizing with the fumigation box if said binary data read on the tankindicates that said fluid is suitable for being vaporized with saidheater element and if said microprocessor has received said signalindicating that the regulated heater element is present and operating,

for the microprocessor to be programmed to prevent actuation of the pumpif said microprocessor has not received said signal indicating that saidfluid is suitable for being vaporized with the fumigation box.

Advantageously, particularly when the apparatus is powered by batteries,operation of said electrical heater element is controlled by saidmicroprocessor, and said microprocessor is programmed to triggeroperation of said electrical heater element for a short period of timeonly prior to each actuation of the pump at predetermined timeintervals, and to stop operation of said heater element immediatelyafter said actuation of the pump, in order to save energy and avoidpointless wear of the heater element.

Advantageously, a three-position selector switch is connected to theelectronic control circuit and the microprocessor is programmed, as afunction of the position of said selector switch:

in the absence of said signal indicating that the regulated heaterelement is present and operating, either to stop operation of theactuator head or to cause the actuator head to operate to actuate thepump a predetermined number of times each time a user presses on acontrol button, or else to cause the actuator head to actuate the pumpso long as the user is pressing on the control button,

in the presence of the signal indicating that the regulated heaterelement is present and operating, to cause the actuator head to operateto vaporize by fumigation, either a minimum hourly quantity of thefluid, or a mean hourly quantity of said fluid, or else a maximum hourlyquantity of said fluid.

Other characteristics and advantages appear from the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention, given by way ofnon-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of apparatus of the inventionwithout its fumigation box;

FIG. 2 is a section view through an example of a pump usable in theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the top portion of the tank of the FIG. 1apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an overall view of the FIG. 4 apparatus together with itsfumigation box;

FIG. 8 is a detail view of FIG. 7, the fumigation box being in section;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fumigation box of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary schematic of the electronic circuit formonitoring and controlling the apparatus of the preceding figures;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of a variant of the FIG. 10 circuit;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a variant of the apparatus ofFIGS. 1 to 11, respectively in a spraying position and in a fumigationposition;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another variant apparatusof the invention;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, with the vaporizer removed fromthe fumigation box;

FIG. 16 is an electrical schematic of the fumigation box of FIGS. 14 and15; and

FIGS. 17 to 19 are similar views showing various ways of programming theapparatus of FIG. 14.

In the various figures, the same references designate the same elements.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of apparatus of the invention without itsfumigation box. The apparatus of FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical actuatorhead having a tank 100 of fluid fixed beneath it. The actuator head 1has a control button 103 and an outlet orifice 105 through which sprayedfluid can escape. The actuator head 1 advantageously further includes aselector switch 136 serving, for example, to select between: switchingfully off; squirt by squirt operation; and repetitive operation at afast rate giving pseudo-continuous spraying. The actuator head 1 mayalso include an indicator lamp 137 for indicating the state of charge ofthe batteries, that the appliance is in operation, etc.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1. The tank 100 maybe molded in plastics material, and comprises a cylindrical side wall100a that extends axially between an end wall a00b and a top wall 100chaving an eccentric neck 5 formed therein. The tank 100 also includes ahandle 106 on its top extending radially relative to the axis of theneck 5 and axially upwards from the top wall 100c. A ring 114 issnap-fastened inside the neck 5 and has a central duct 108 with a diptube 109 mounted therein, which tube extends to the bottom of the tank100. A plug 50 is mounted in the ring 114 and a pump 6 is fixed in theplug 50, the pump 6 being fitted with a pushbutton 10 and a lateralnozzle 11 through which sprayed fluid is expelled. The actuator head 1includes an actuator block 138 that includes an electronic power supplyand control circuit 101, a solenoid 12 connected to the circuit 101 andcontaining a core 13 (not shown) for actuating the pushbutton 10, andstorage batteries 102.

The pump 6 may be of the type described in French patents FR-2 305 241and FR-2 314 772, and in corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4, 025, 046, and anexample thereof is shown in FIG. 3. Such a pump comprises a hollowcylindrical pump body 7 in which there slides a piston 15 connected tothe actuator rod 9. The pump body and the piston define a pump chamber13 which communicates with the admission orifice 8 via an inlet valve17, constituted in this case by a skirt which fits over a tubularendpiece 128 formed around the admission orifice. In addition, the pumpchamber 16 communicates with the outside via an outlet valve 19,constituted in this case by a pin 18 resiliently pressed against a seatformed in the rod 9. The pump described briefly above and described indetail in the above-mentioned patents is given solely as a non-limitingexample. Other pumps could be used, for example the pump described inEuropean patent application EP-0 330 530 and U.S. Pat. No. 4, 936, 492.In any event, the pump 6 includes a cylindrical pump chamber that isnormally filled with the fluid to be sprayed, a piston which slides inthe pump chamber, an inlet valve, and an outlet valve.

It is preferable for the skirt 17 not to fit in sealed manner on theendpiece 128 until after the end of a stroke C1 which is advantageouslyequal to half to twice the stroke C2 during which the piston expels thefluid contained in the pump chamber: as a result, the core 12accelerates over the stroke C1 prior to beginning to put the fluidcontained in the pump chamber under pressure, thereby giving itsufficient kinetic energy to produce uniform spraying in the form offine particles from the beginning to the end of the working stroke C1 ofthe piston. For example, the endpiece 128 may include an axial groove129 that extends a certain distance towards the admission orifice 8.

The apparatus is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The pump 6 isfixed in the plug 50, e.g. by snap-fastening, and the plug 50 is screwedinside the ring 114 which is itself snap-fastened in the neck 5 of thetank. The central duct 108 of the ring 114 carries an internal ring 126which is engaged as a sealed fit inside said duct, and the dip tube 109is engaged in the ring 126. Optionally, the dip tube 109 may be engageddirectly as a sealed fit in the central duct 108 of the ring 114. Thepump 10 has a pump body 7 with an inlet end 7a which is engaged as asealed fit in the central duct 108 of the ring 114 when the plug 50 isscrewed onto the ring 114. The ring 114 also includes an air returnorifice 110 which enables the pump 6 to return air into the tank 100each time it is actuated.

The actuator head 1 has an external rigid shell 104 which enables theapparatus to be held in one hand, and in which the actuator block 138 isinstalled. The electronic circuit 101 includes a microprocessor 139which monitors operation of the apparatus. The circuit 101 furtherincludes indicator means 137 which may be constituted by a lightemitting diode (LED), optionally two LEDs, and also includes theselector switch 136. The storage batteries 102 are connected to theelectronic circuit 101 and the actuator head 1 has a socket 140 forconnection to a transformer for recharging the batteries 102. Theelectronic circuit 101 is also connected to the control button 103 whichtriggers operation of the appliance. The circuit 101 of the appliance isconnected to the solenoid 13 and it supplies electrical energy to saidsolenoid 13 each time the pump 6 is to be actuated. A core 12 which maybe of soft iron slides axially inside the solenoid 13, and said core 12includes a rod 14 which is preferably made of non-magnetic material thatextends towards the pushbutton 10 and that has its end removablysnap-fastened to said pushbutton 10. The rod 14 advantageously includesan annular groove in which a part 141 is fixed, which part is preferablymade of shockabsorbing material. The rod 14 passes through a wall 142secured to the solenoid 13 and to the actuator head 1, and the core 12is axially displaceable with lost motion between a low positiondetermined by the core 12 coming into abutment against the wall 142, anda high position determined by the part 141 coming into abutment againstthe wall 42. When the tank 100 is fixed on the actuator head 1, the plug50 is snap-fastened in a wall 143 perpendicular to the axis of the rod14 and secured to the actuator head 1, and the axial position of saidplug 50 relative to the solenoid 13 is accurately determined by a topabutment of said plug 50 against a wall 144 secured to the actuator head1, and by the bottom abutment of said plug 50 against said wall 143 inwhich the plug is snap-fastened. In this way, the pump 6 is axiallypositioned very accurately relative to the solenoid 13 so that the pushrod 9 of said pump is displaced over a predetermined stroke on eachactuation so that the predetermined strokes C1 and C2 are implementedvery accurately on each actuation, as described above with reference toFIG. 3.

It is also possible to omit attaching the rod 14 to the pushbutton.Under such circumstances, it may be possible to space the rod 14 acertain axial distance C1 away from the pushbutton so that the core 12travels a certain unloaded stroke C1 before coming into contact with thepushbutton. In which case, the groove 129 is pointless. In any event, itis preferable for the pump body 7 to be axially positioned in highlyaccurate manner relative to the solenoid 13 so as to satisfy the strokesC1 and C2 (unloaded stroke and working stroke). To fix the tank 100 onthe actuator head 1, the plug 50 is initially engaged axially in arecess 143a of said wall 143 whose outside shape correspondssubstantially to the outside shape of the plug 50, and in so doing thepushbutton 10 is snapped onto the end of the rod 14 of the core 12. Therod 14 and the pusher rod 9 of the pump are then in alignment.Thereafter, the pushbutton 100 is rotated relative to the head 1 so asto lock the plug 50 on said wall 143, given the outside shape of theplug 50 which is not circularly symmetrical. Also, the actuator head 1includes a hook 107 disposed orthoradially relative to the common axisof the core 12 and of the pump 6 such that the hook 107 engages in thehandle 106 and holds said handle 106. Advantageously, as shown in FIG.41, the tank 100 may include code marks relating to the contents of thetank 100, for example. These marks, may for example, be in the form ofpale marks or reflecting marks 145 disposed on the top of the handle 106so that said marks 145 point towards the actuator head 1 when the tank100 is assembled to said head 1. The actuator head 1 includes a readerdevice 146 disposed above the handle 106 and said reader device 146 isconnected to the electronic circuit 101. For each mark to be detected,the device 146 may comprise an assembly constituted by a light emittingdiode associated with a lens for focusing a light beam on said mark, anda photo-transistor for detecting reflection of said light beam by saidmark 145. For each reflecting mark to be detected, it is possible, forexample, to use an opto-electronic component sold by Siemens under thereferences SFH 900-2 and SFH 900-5 comprising an LED, a lens, and aphoto-transistor. Naturally, other reader devices or other means forencoding information on the tank could be used. The encoded informationis transmitted to the microprocessor 139 which may, for example, preventthe actuator head 1 from operating with certain fluids, or when thelimit date for using the fluid contained in the tank 100 has beenexceeded, etc.

In the example of FIG. 2, the pump body 7 comprise an outwardly directedannular flange 134 at the top, and the piston 15 is held inside the pumpbody 7 by a bush 40 which has a cylindrical side wall 131 fixed to theinside of the pump body, and an outwardly directed annular flange 132superposed on the flange 134 of the pump body. When the pump 6 ismounted in the plug 50, the flanges 132 and 133 are snapped under therib 172 of said plug. The bush 130 has an axial outside groove 111extending along the full height of the side wall 131 and to the outsideof said side wall, and which extends beneath the flange 132 to theradially outer end of said flange 132. The groove 111 opens out in aninside chamfer 132a of the flange 132, said chamfer 132a communicatingwith an axial groove 135 of the flange 133 of the pump body, and saidflange 133 itself including an inside chamfer 134 which communicateswith an axial groove (not shown) of the plug 50 when the pump body isengaged in the plug 50, and said axial groove communicates with the airreturn orifice 110 of the ring 114 so that the pump 6 returns air to thetank 100 on each actuation. The pump 6 could also operate without airreturn, and without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, inwhich case the tank should generally be deformable under the effect ofthe suction established by the pump, and the pump is generally notconnected to a dip tube 109.

As described above, the apparatus enables fluid to be sprayed in finedroplets in a manner that is equivalent to aerosol spraying.

According to the invention, the apparatus also includes a removablefumigation box 200 which is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. The fumigation boxhas an end wall 209, a bottom wall 212, a top wall 213, and two sidewalls 210 and 211. The bottom wall 212 is pierced by slots 205 and thetop wall 213 is pierced by slots 204. The slots 204 and 205 serve toestablish a flow of hot air through the box 200 as explained below. Theslots 204 and 205 may be replaced by other air passages, optionallydisposed in a different manner.

In addition, the side walls 210 and 211 are each extended away from theend wall 209 via two respective resilient arms 208 that arecomplementary in shape to the outside surface of the actuator head. Thebottom wall 212 has a free edge 212a remote from the end wall 209, andsaid free edge 212a is complementary in shape to the outside shape ofthe actuator head. Similarly, the top wall 213 has a free edge 213aremote from the end wall 209 and having a shape that is complementary tothe outside shape of the actuator head 1. In addition, each of theresilient arms 208 has an electrical contact 206 in the form of a studdirected towards the inside of the arm. The electrical contact 206 isconnected by an electrical conductor (not shown) to an electricalresistance element 201 that is visible in FIG. 8, and that is preferablya positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistance element. The element201 is in thermal contact with a plate 202 made of metal or of someother heat conducting material, and the plate 202 extends parallel tothe end wall 209 inside the box 200.

In addition, the actuator head 1 has two external electrical contacts207 that are hollow in shape corresponding to the studs 206. To fix thefumigation box 200 on the actuator head 1, the resilient arms 206 aresnapped around the side wall of the actuator head 1, thereby engagingthe contacts 206 in the contacts 207. The external electrical contactsare positioned so that when the electrical contacts 206 of thefumigation box are engaged in said electrical contacts 207, thefumigation box 200 is placed facing the outlet orifice 105 of theactuator head 1. Thus, the metal plate 202 is substantiallyperpendicular to the spray jet 214 produced each time the pump isactuated. The electrical contacts 206 and 207 thus guarantee that thefumigation box is properly positioned and they participate in holdingthe fumigation box 200 on the actuator head 1.

When the fumigation box is fixed on the actuator head 1, it is connectedto the above-mentioned electronic circuit 101. The electronic circuit101 is shown, in part, in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, the two external electrical contacts 207 of the actuatorhead 1 are distinguished and referenced 207a and 207b. When thefumigation box is fixed on the actuator head 1, each of the electricalcontacts 206 of the fumigation box is connected to one of the externalelectrical contacts 207a and 207b of the actuator head. The two contacts206 of the fumigation box are connected to the PTC element 201. Theexternal electrical contact 207a is connected to the storage batteries102 and it is taken to a potential +Vo, e.g. of +5 volts. The circuit ofFIG. 20 also has two Schmitt triggers T1 and T2, a resistor R1 whoseresistance may be 10 kΩ, for example, and a MOSFET transistor T whichconventionally has three contacts: a source contact S, a grid contact G,and a drain contact D. The microprocessor 139 has an analog input 139a,a binary input 139b, and a binary output 139c. The analog input 139a ofthe microprocessor 139 is connected directly to the external electricalcontact 207b. The analog input 139a is connected to an analog-to-digitalconverter integrated in the microprocessor 139 which is adapted totransform the voltage V that exists on the electrical contact 207b intoa digital signal that can be understood by the microprocessor. Theelectrical contact 207b is also connected to the input of Schmitttrigger T1 and the output of said Schmitt trigger T1 is connected to thebinary input 139b of the microprocessor. The resistor R1 is connectedbetween the electrical contact 207b and ground. The binary output 139cof the microprocessor is connected to the input of the Schmitt triggerT2, and the output of said Schmitt trigger T2 is connected to the grid Gof the MOSFET transistor T. The source S of the MOSFET transistor T isconnected to ground, and the drain D of said MOSFET transistor T isconnected to the external electrical contact 207b. Finally, eachabove-mentioned opto-electronic component 146 has a binary output 146awhich is connected to a binary input 139d of the microprocessor 139. Themicroprocessor 139 has a binary input 139f. A resistor R2, e.g. of 10 kΩresistance, is connected between the binary input 139f and ground. Also,the control button 103 which constitutes a switch is itself connectedbetween the input 139f and the contact 207a (+5 volts). Finally, themicroprocessor 139 has a binary output 139g which is connected to apower circuit 215 for controlling actuation of the core by the solenoid.The contacts for powering the components, in particular themicroprocessor 139 and the opto-electronic component 146 are not shown,in order to simplify the schematic.

The electronic circuit operates as follows.

So long as the fumigation box 200 is not mounted on the actuator head,electrical contact 207b is grounded by resistor R1, so said contact 207bis at. a potential of 0 volts. In this state, the binary input 139b ofthe microprocessor remains in a first state, indicating to themicroprocessor 139 that the box 200 is not fixed on the actuator head 1.Under such circumstances, each time the user presses the control button103, a potential of about 5 volts is applied to binary input 139f of themicroprocessor and this change of state causes the microprocessor 139 toreact in a manner that depends on the program of said microprocessor andon the position of above-mentioned selector switch 136 which is alsoconnected to the microprocessor 139 (the connection between the selectorswitch 136 and the microprocessor is not shown in order to clarify theschematic). For example, so long as the user is pressing the controlbutton 103, the binary output 139g of the microprocessor 139 sends acontinues signal to the power circuit 215, which signal may beconstituted by a series of voltage pulses, each pulse corresponding tosingle actuation of the pump.

When the fumigation box 200 is fixed on the actuator head 1, since thePTC element 201 is connected between the contacts 207a and 207b. The PTCelement 201 has a small resistance value, e.g. about 5Ω. Consequently,since the resistance of resistor R1 is much greater than the resistanceof the PTC element 201, contact 207b is taken substantially to apotential of +5 volts. This change of state applied to the input ofSchmitt trigger T1 changes the state of the output of Schmitt trigger T1which is connected to binary input 139b. This change of state of thebinary input 139b causes a particular program to run in themicroprocessor 139. That program causes the binary output 139c to applya 0 volt signal to Schmitt trigger T2 at predetermined time intervals.The Schmitt trigger T2 then applies a potential of +5 volts to the gridG of the MOSFET transistor T. This makes the MOSFET transistor Tconductive, thereby causing a large current to flow through the PTCelement 201. This current may be as much as 5 amps to 10 amps. After avery short time, about 100 ms, the PTC element begins to heat and inturn it heats the metal plate 202. When the MOSFET transistor T isconductive, the internal resistance of said transistor T between itsterminals D and S is fixed, such that the electrical potential V ofelectrical contact 207b is proportional to the electrical current Iflowing through the PTC element 201, i.e. it is proportional to theresistance of the PTC element 201. The potential V is measured by theanalog input 139a of the microprocessor. If the potential V is greaterthan a given threshold V1, indicating that too great a current I isflowing between the contacts 207a and 207b, the microprocessor 139switches the MOSFET transistor T off again via the binary output 139c ofthe Schmitt trigger T2. This may occur because of a short circuitbetween the external contacts 207a and 207b of the actuator head 1 andthat could run the risk of damaging the electronic circuit and ofwasting the batteries pointlessly. However, if the electrical potentialV remains below the threshold V1, then the PTC element 201 continues tobe heated. In a variant, as shown in FIG. 11, the circuit 101 mayinclude an external analog-to-digital converter 216 connected to theinput 139a of the microprocessor and to the contacts 207b so as to applya signal to said input 139a that is representative of the potential V ofthe contacts 207b. Under such circumstances, the input 139a isconstituted by a series of binary inputs.

After sufficient time has elapsed to enable the PTC element 201 to risein temperature sufficiently for the metal plate 202 to be at atemperature that is equal to or greater than the vaporizationtemperature of the sprayed fluid, the microprocessor 139 triggersactuation of the pump via its binary output 139g. The fine sprayeddroplets 214 are instantly vaporized by the plate 202, and the vaporcreated in this way is entrained into the atmosphere by the flow ofrising hot air passing through the slots 204 and 205. Immediately afterthe pump has been actuated, the microprocessor 139 switches off theMOSFET transistor T via binary output 139c and said Schmitt trigger T2.This prevents the PTC element 201 operating continuously, and thus savesthe batteries 102 and avoids premature wear of the PTC element 201. Atthe end of a predetermined time delay, the cycle starts again.

If the user wishes to cause fumigation to take place outside the normalcycle, the user may press the control button 103, thereby changing thestate of binary input 139f of the microprocessor, in which case themicroprocessor 139 triggers an operating cycle, beginning by heating thePTC element and then actuating the pump.

When the fumigation box is removed from the actuator head 1, thepotential V is at 0 volts so the output of Schmitt trigger T1 changesstate, and thus the binary input 139b also changes state, and themicroprocessor returns to its conventional spray program.

Schmitt trigger T1, resistor R1, and input 139 could optionally beomitted, in which case the presence or absence of the box 200 would bedetected via analog input 139a (spray operation if V=0, fumigationoperation if 0<V<V1, and operation inhibited if V>V1).

Advantageously, the actuator head includes at least one opto-electroniccomponent 146 as described above with a binary output 146a connected toa binary input 139d of the microprocessor. When the handle 106 of thetank includes a pale or reflecting mark facing the opto-electroniccomponent 146, the output 146a of said component is placed in a lowstate having a potential of 0 volts, indicating to the binary input 139bthat the fluid contained in the tank 100 may be vaporized by means ofthe fumigation box 200. In contrast, when the handle 106 of the tank 100does not include a pale or reflecting mark facing the opto-electroniccomponent 146, the output 146a is at a potential of 0 volts, as is theinput 139d of the microprocessor 139, thus informing the microprocessorthat said fluid cannot be vaporized by fumigation. Under suchcircumstances, if the fumigation box 101 is fitted to the actuator head1, the microprocessor 139 prevents the pump being actuated and preventsthe PTC element being heated.

When the fumigation box 101 is mounted on the actuator head 1, theselector switch 136 may be used to cause the frequency of fumigation tovary or to vary the number of successive actuations of the pump 6 oneach fumigation.

The apparatus of FIGS. 12 and 13 is a variant of the apparatus of thepreceding figures in which the fumigation box 300 is secured to theactuator head 1 and has a sliding portion 301 adapted selectively todisengage (FIG. 12) or to cover (FIG. 13) the outlet orifice 105 of theactuator head 1. When the sliding portion 301 is retracted (FIG. 12) theuser can spray the fluid by pressing on the control button 103. When thesliding portion 301 is extended (FIG. 13) a PTC element contained insaid sliding portion is powered, and the microprocessor 139, e.g.informed by an electronic contact closing, triggers actuation of thepump at a predetermined interval as explained above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 11. The sliding portion 301 has an internal metal plateheated by PTC element, and disposed facing the outlet orifice 105: asbefore, the sprayed fluid is instantaneously vaporized by the metalplate, and the vapor escapes via slots 304 at the top of the fumigationbox 300.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show another variant of the apparatus of the invention,in which the fumigation box 400 is fixed and is powered by mains, via acable 418. The fumigation box 400 comprises a stand 410 and an upright411. The upright 411 has an orifice 428 behind which there is placed ametal plate that is heated by a PTC element (not shown), together with aphotoemitter 412 (e.g. an infrared emitting diode).

Furthermore, the actuator head 1 has a photoreceiver 417 which isdisposed facing the photoemitter 412 when the tank 100 is placed on thestand 410. The stand 410 and the tank 100 preferably include positioningmeans, e.g. a projection 415 on the stand 410 and a corresponding recess416 in the bottom 100b of the tank 100, to guarantee that thephotoreceiver 417 is indeed facing the photoemitter 412 and the outletorifice 105 of the head is indeed facing the orifice 428 of thefumigation box 400.

The box 400 has a connector 422 provided with a curly cable (not shown)and suitable for connection to the socket 140 of the head 1 forrecharging the batteries in the head 1.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of the fumigation box 400. The conductors ofcable 418 are connected firstly to the input of a transformer 423 andsecondly to the terminals of a PTC element 403 disposed in thermalcontact with the above-mentioned metal plate. The transformer 423 ispreferably of the 110/220 V adaptable type so as to enable thefumigation box 400 to be used in various different countries. The PTCelement 403 operates at the same equilibrium temperature whatever itspower supply voltage. The output of transformer 423 is connected to theinput of a diode rectifier bridge R. The bridge R has two outputterminals S1 and S2. Terminal S1 is connected to ground and a filtercapacitor C (e.g. having a capacitance of 1,000 μF) is connected betweenthe terminal S2 and ground. Terminal S2 feeds firstly theabove-mentioned connector 422 which may be of the jack plug type, andsecondly a bimetallic strip B in thermal connection with the PTC element403 which is connected between the terminal S2 and a first terminal 425of a monostable/astable circuit 424. A second terminal 426 of thecircuit 424 is connected to ground and a third terminal 427 of thecircuit 424 is connected via a resistor R3 to the base of a PNPtransistor T3 whose emitter is connected to the terminal 425. An LED 412(e.g. an infrared LED) is connected between the collector of transistorT3 and ground.

At the beginning of operation of the PTC element 403, its temperature istoo low for fumigation. The bimetallic strip B remains open, therebypreventing the LED 412 from operating. As soon as the temperature of thePTC element 403 is sufficient, the bimetallic strip B closes, therebyenabling the LED 412 to operate. Regularly (e.g. 10 ms every second),the monostable/astable circuit 424 applies a low level signal on itsthird terminal 427, thereby activating the transistor T3 which triggersoperation of the LED.

When the assembly constituted by the actuator head and the tank 100 isplaced on the stand 410, the photo-receiver 417 detects the signal sentby the LED 412 and applies a signal to the microprocessor 139 informingit that the fumigation box is present and operating. The microprocessor139 then causes the pump to operate intermittently to trigger fumigationat predetermined time intervals, as described above. The resulting vaporescapes via slots 404 in the top of the upright 411 of the fumigationbox 400.

Optionally, the box 400 may include various sensors for triggeringoperation of the appliance if a human is present, or as a function ofvarious events. Such sensors may include sensors responsive to presencein a volume, door contacts, a photodiode detecting that lights are on, asound sensor (toilet flush noise), etc. The box 400 may also optionallybe fitted with a radar sensor for evaluating the volume of the room soas to send a signal to the head 1 via the LED 412 indicating the numberof times the pump should be actuated on each fumigation, and thefrequency of fumigations.

The fumigation box may optionally include both a photoemitter and aphotoreceiver at 412, and the head 1 may include both a photoemitter anda photoreciever at 417, thereby enabling dialog to be establishedbetween the box 400 and the head 1.

The fumigation box 400 may also include a card reader 413 suitable forreading a RAM type card 421 (ISO 7816) or a smart card.

As shown in FIG. 15, it is possible to program a card 421 by means of amicroprocessor 419 fitted with a card box, and subsequently insert thecard in the reader 413 of the fumigation box 400. The card 421 may beused merely to program the fumigation box 400, e.g. by settingfumigation periods. Optionally, the card 421 may also be used forprograming the microprocessor 139 in the actuator head 1. Under suchcircumstances, the information contained in the card 421 is transmittedto the actuator head 1 by the photoemitter 412, so as to determine, forexample, fumigation frequency and the number of times the pump isactuated on each fumigation.

The fumigation box 400 may also be fitted with a low current connectionsocket 414, e.g. of the RS 232 type (FIGS. 18 and 19). It is thuspossible to connect a microprocessor 419 to the box 400 in order toreprogram the card 421 or optionally reprogram the microprocessor 139 inthe actuator head. The connection between the microprocessor 419 and thebox 400 may be direct (FIG. 19) or may take place via modems 430 (FIG.18) if programming is performed remotely.

I claim:
 1. A multifunctional apparatus for spraying and fumigating avaporizable fluid, the apparatus comprising:an actuator head (1); a tank(100) containing said fluid; a pump (6) mounted on the tank, said pumphaving an outlet nozzle (11), wherein said actuator head (1) includeselectromechanical actuator means (12,13) for actuating said pump and anelectronic control and power supply circuit (101) including amicroprocessor (139) for controlling said electromechanical actuatormeans (12,13); and a heater element (201, 202, 402) disposed facing theoutlet nozzle (11) of said pump to receive said fluid sprayed by saidpump and to vaporize it, said heater element having a temperaturegreater than the vaporization temperature of said fluid, said heaterelement being in communication with the atmosphere to exhaust saidvaporized fluid, wherein the apparatus further includes means fordetecting an operation of said heater element and for transmitting asignal to said microprocessor indicating operation of said heaterelement, said microprocessor (139) being programmed to control actuationof said pump automatically at predetermined time intervals when itreceives said signal indicating that said heater element is operating.2. A multifunctional apparatus for spraying and fumigating a vaporizablefluid, the apparatus comprising:an actuator head (1); a tank (100)containing said fluid; a pump (6) mounted on the tank, said pump havingan outlet nozzle (11); said actuator head (1) having electromechanicalactuator means (12, 13) for actuating said pump and an electroniccontrol and power supply circuit (101) including a microprocessor (139)for controlling said electromechanical actuator means (12, 13); amovable heater element (201, 202, 402) which, as a function of theapparatus in fumigation mode is disposed facing the outlet nozzle (11)of said pump to receive said fluid sprayed by said pump and to vaporizeit, said heater element having a temperature higher than thevaporization temperature of said fluid, said heater element being incommunication with the atmosphere to exhaust said vaporized fluid; andmeans for detecting the presence of said heater element facing theoutlet nozzle (11) of said pump and an operation of said heater element,and for transmitting a signal to said microprocessor indicating thatsaid heater element is present and operating, and said microprocessor(139) is programmed to control actuation of said pump automatically atpredetermined time intervals when it receives said signal indicatingthat said heater element is present and operating.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which said heater element is a temperatureregulated electrical heater element.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2,in which said heater element (201, 202) is disposed in a fumigation box(200) removably fixed on said actuator head (1) and which is powered bysaid electronic control and power supply circuit (101) of said actuatorhead (1).
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said fumigation box(200) includes two electrical contacts (206) connected to saidelectrical heater element (201, 202), said actuator head includes twoexternal electrical contacts (207) facing said electrical contacts (206)of said fumigation box to connect said electrical heater element (201,202) to said electronic control and power supply circuit (101) of saidactuator head (1),said fumigation box (200) includes two snap-fasteningresilient arms (208) which embrace said actuator head and bearresiliently against said actuator head (1), and said electrical contacts(206) of said fumigation box are disposed inside said resilient arms(20) and are pressed by said resilient arms against said externalelectrical contacts (207) of the outer shell (104).
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 4, in which:said fumigation box (200) includes twoelectrical contacts (206) connected to said electrical heater element(201, 202), said actuator head includes two external electrical contacts(207) facing said electrical contacts (206) of said fumigation box toconnect said electrical heater element (201, 202) to said electroniccontrol and power supply circuit (101) of said actuator head (1), saidelectrical contacts of said fumigation box and said external electricalcontacts of said actuator head co-operating to position said fumigationbox on said actuator head.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 4, inwhich:said fumigation box (200) includes two electrical contacts 206),connected to said electrical heater element (201, 202), said actuatorhead includes two external electrical contacts (207) facing saidelectrical contacts (206) of said fumigation box to said electroniccontrol and power supply circuit (101) of said actuator head (1), saidmeans for detecting the presence of the regulated heater elementdetecting the presence of an external electric circuit (206, 201)between the two external contacts (207) of said actuator head. 8.Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said electronic control andpower supply circuit (101) and said actuator head further include means(216, 139a) for detecting insufficient electrical resistance of saidexternal electrical circuit and for transmitting a signal to saidmicroprocessor (139) indicating that said electrical resistance is belowa determined value, and said microprocessor is programmed to preventoperation of said electrical heater element (201) and to preventactuation of said pump while it is receiving said signal indicating thatsaid resistance is below a predetermined threshold.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, in which said regulated heater element is securedto a moving member (301) of said actuator head (1) movable between aretracted position in which said regulated heater element leaves theoutlet nozzle (11) of said pump disengaged to enable said fluid to besprayed, and a fumigation position in which said regulated heaterelement is disposed facing the spray nozzle (11), said regulated heaterelement being powered by said electrical control and power supplycircuit (101) of said actuator head when said moving member (301) is insaid fumigation position.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 2, in whichsaid regulated heater element (402) is secured to a fumigation box(400), the apparatus including means (415, 416) for positioning saidactuator head (1) relative to said fumigation box (400).
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 10, in which said means for detecting that saidfumigation box (400) is present and operating include at least onephotoemitter (412) secured to said fumigation box (400) and aphotoreceiver (417) secured to said actuator head (1).
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, including an interface (413) at least for readinginformation in a removable programmable card (421), and means (412, 417)for transmitting said information to the electronic circuit (101) of theactuator head (1).
 13. Apparatus according to claim 10, furtherincluding a connector (414) for connecting a microcomputer (419) to saidbox (400).
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which:said tank (100)of fluid is removably fixed to said actuator head (10), said tank (100)including a data medium (145) carrying at least one binary item of dataindicating whether the fluid contained in said tank is suitable forvaporizing with said fumigation head (206), said electronic control andpower supply circuit (101) of said actuator head includes means (146)for reading binary data and for applying a signal to said microprocessorindicating that said fluid is suitable for vaporizing with saidfumigation box if said binary data read on said tank indicates that saidfluid is suitable for being vaporized with said heater element (201,202; 402) and if said microprocessor (139) has received said signalindicating that said regulated heater element is present and operating,said microprocessor (139) is programmed to prevent actuation of saidpump if said microprocessor (139) has not received said signalindicating that said fluid is suitable for being vaporized with saidfumigation box.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which operationof said electrical heater element (201, 202) is controlled by saidmicroprocessor, and said microprocessor (139) is programmed to triggeroperation of said electrical heater element (201, 202) for a shortperiod of time only prior to each actuation of the pump at predeterminedtime intervals, and to stop operation of said heater element (201, 202)immediately after said actuation of the pump.
 16. Apparatus according toclaim 2, in which a three-position selector switch (136) is connected tosaid electronic control and power supply circuit (101) and saidmicroprocessor is programmed, as a function of the position of saidselector switch;in the absence of said signal indicating that saidregulated heater element is present and operating, either to stopoperation of said actuator head (1) or to cause said actuator head tooperate to actuate said pump (6) a predetermined number of times eachtime a user presses on a control button (103), or else to cause saidactuator head to actuate the pumps so long as the user is pressing onsaid control button, in the presence of the signal indicating that saidregulated heater element is present and operating, to cause saidactuator head (1) to operate to vaporize by fumigation, either a minimumhourly quantity of the fluid, or a mean hourly quantity of said fluid,or else a maximum hourly quantity of said fluid.